Wild Things: Baby foxes could stay with their dad in the park

The baby foxes who were orphaned last week after their mom was found dead could be left in the wild.

On Monday, officials with Waterton Lakes National Park said they’ve been monitoring the area since concerns were raised that the young foxes would die without their mother’s milk.

A resource conservation officer saw the father and four of the kits out of the den late Friday evening.

“All seemed healthy and active and appeared to be doing OK without Mom around,” said an email from Janice Smith, spokeswoman for Parks Canada. “It (had) been at least five days since Mom was found dead.”

Smith said they spoke with Todd Shurry, the wildlife veterinarian for Parks Canada.

“He felt that the best approach at this time would be keep the pups where they are,” she said, noting they will continue to monitor the foxes and, if any become unhealthy, they will try again to trap and transport them to the wildlife rehabilitation centre.

They will continue to keep the road to the den site closed.

Wild Things is a blog about all things wild: wildlife, wildfires, wilderness and even wild weather by Herald environment writer Colette Derworiz.

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